i know u more than u know u...but do i know ME?

wow. i haven't written here in a while. i can sit here and say that i just haven't had the time but that would be a lie. it's hard for me to admit but i have been diverting myself in things that really are not necessary nor productive. smh.

anyway, i am sitting here and it's only 4:25. 35 more minutes before i get out of work. anxious to go home and then.....work again tomorrow. and so my life continues in its tedious routine that slowly is becoimng unbareable. you see, my life consists of work. home. work. home. weekends, i spend time with my bf but i can honestly say that we can't really do much because i am not what you would call the normal american kid. no, i don't have something that as of late is very necessary and the lack of it can get you in deep trouble.

at work i give it my all. i work hard to make my boss look good and i do a hell of a job at it. through the years, i've learned that if i want to make it in this society, i must observe. watch and learn. study the people and culture around me and assimilate.

today i sit here thinking. i am getting by in my life just barely. i've managed to learn what i need to do to get by. but what happens when i hit a dead-end. my life is a circle with a very small radius. i've learned everyone around me so well...and in the process i forgot to learn about me. who am i? what have i become?

-dreamer.

enough is enough.

a dream deferred.

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry upLike a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sagslike a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

- Langston Hughes

Durbin on the Dream Act

amen to that! finally someone with something smart to say.

who is responsible? ILLEGALS!

yet another ignorant claim: 

"Don't EVER forget 911, and who is responsible for 911? ILLEGALS!" 

are you kidding me? you mean the illegals that your legal president Bush was having dinner with?!?!??! wow! 

2 things...

2 things in this picture that are just....what's that word?!?! oh yeah, RIDICULOUS!

1.) the lady is holding a poster that says "no amnety". Clearly she is against immigrants and clearly she has not done her homework because she is living in the amnesty era...an amnesty is not even a possibility and is NOT what ANYONE is asking for. More than likely she is one of those anti's that argues that "illegals" should learn the English language right? well i know i wouldn't want her as my teacher.... (psst lady! the word is amneSty, you're missing an S there!)

2.) the little girl on the lower left hand corner of the image is at most 3 years old. does she even know what is going on? why would these people teach kids hate at such young age!?!?!? my only hope is that she is not the "amnety" lady's daughter. honk for english?!??!? this doesn't make any sense. perhaps she wants someone who really knows english and and teach the "amnety" lady that she is missing an S!!!

Condoleezza Rice on CIR

“We need immigration reform. I don’t care if it’s for the person who crawls across the desert to earn $5 an hour, or for Sergey Brin, who came here from Russia and founded Google. As a country, we can’t have people living in the shadows. It’s just wrong. It’s not only ineffective, it’s wrong.”

Amen to that!

fading into the background.

picture:papertissue

Dream Act Interview...

so last week I did an interview with Claes Andreasson, an amazing Swedish Journalist. Click here to listen!!!!

Also be on the look out for more stories in the near future by the Swedish Public Radio people!!!

Loosing HOPE...

It's hard not to loose hope when all you see in your email inbox every morning are negative updates having to do with your future...deportations on the rise...police enforcemenr suddendly becoming immigration enforcement...so much for change huh?
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Immigrant Future in Healthcare...

So apparently the agenda is out. Immigration reform is third on the list of consideration, after Healthcare Reform and Energy...We MUST STILL continue to push for immigration reform and keep in mind that immigration reform is inter-twined with health care as well. Recent debates involve the inclusion of undocumented immigrants into a potential Healtcare Reform package. Below is a great article by Deepak Bhargava from the Center for Community Change.

DON'T ENSHRINE DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE REFORM

by Deepak Bhargava, Center for Community ChangePosted July 8 , 2009

Finally, the country seems serious about reforming health care. But with discussions about a public option, cost control and competition raging, one aspect of achieving true universal coverage is being left out: what to do about immigrants who lack coverage?
All of the plans getting serious consideration in Congress would exclude undocumented immigrants. Many proposals would even bar access to community health centers and emergency rooms -- a historic shift from America's humanitarian tradition that in an emergency no one should be turned away. Some proposals would exclude legal resident immigrants who have been in the United States for less than five years. Unless the debate takes a different turn, millions of immigrants will be left out of the system.
We should not enshrine discriminatory principles into a new health care system. A "universal" health care program that leaves out millions of Americans is a fraud. Just as we stand up for other core principles in the health care debate -- quality, affordability, a strong public plan -- we need to stand up for immigrant coverage as an essential component of just and effective health care reform.
Without immigrant inclusion, people like Ockwhan Her, a 48 year-old Korean-American mother of two from Los Angeles, will continue being relegated to second class status. Ockwhan, uninsured, couldn't afford to visit the doctor when the pains in her stomach became too great to ignore. It wasn't until a personal emergency forced her to return to Korea that she was able to afford seeing a doctor, and learn that the pain in her stomach was cancer. Even though a legal permanent resident in the United States, our laws bar her from receiving health care benefits that could save her life.
It's worth reminding ourselves of why it's so important for immigrants to be included in our national health care system. Here are some common sense reasons:
Contrary to right-wing myth, almost all immigrants pay taxes. Excluding immigrants from a tax-funded health care system is simply unfair.
If immigrants are excluded from coverage, they will continue to go to emergency rooms for medical services, services that we ultimately pay for through public programs or higher insurance premiums. Rather than subsidize inadequate, short-term care, let's provide real preventative care that will actually keep families healthy.
Health is, by nature, a public good. We all benefit when every family in our community is healthy. Leaving out millions of Americans hurts all of us, not just those who are excluded.
There is no reasonable basis for excluding immigrants from access to health care. It's all about bigotry and fear, including the fears of our political leadership. Even many progressive members of Congress are reluctant to take a stand because they don't want to get in the way of health care "reform."
But until we include everyone, universal coverage will continue to be a myth, and tax payers like Ockwhan will continue to suffer needlessly.

Thoughts?

anti-immigrant ammendments...

Wow. I woke up this morning and did my daily e-mail run and found more emails saying that the senate was voting on anti-immigration amendments again today. Pathetic.

Instead of working to enact Comprehensive Immigration Reform, US Senators Vitter and Grassley are pushing dangerous, enforcement-only amendments to the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2010, that would lead to unfair firings of American workers and delay the critical steps Congress and the Obama Administration must take towards passing the reforms that are VERY NEEDED.

Sen. Vitter's amendments would undo the Obama administration's decision to rescind the Bush Administration rule regarding Social Security Administration No-Match letters. Sen. Grassley's amendment would give employers who use E-Verify discretion to verify all of their existing employees at any time of their choosing. Under current law, E-Verify may only be used for new hires.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! Call both your Senators and tell them to OPPOSE THE VITTER AND GRASSLEY AMENDMENTS, 1375 and 1415 respectively.


Tell them:
You OPPOSE the VITTER AND GRASSLEY AMENDMENTS.
and that
You SUPPORT having a real debate about immigration issues and the only way for that to happen is by starting comprehensive immigration reform this year.


Do your part! Call in now and make your voices heard. It's time we fix the broken immigration system and not further damage it....Do it!

On Healthcare...

John Tanton and the Anti-Immigration Movement...

An article posted yesterday by Imagine 2050 really just reinforces what I've said all along: behing the anti-immigrant movement there are corrupted and ignorant minds who are not willing to engage in a real intellectual debate about the morality or immorality of keeping or sending immigrants away. It takes one man and one man only to create such a powerful anti-immigration movement, for example. This man is John Tanton. He is at the heart of the most influential anti-immigrant network in the country - he has created an empire of organizations consisting of lobbyists, lawyers, legislators, and “experts” that have permeated the very depths of social and political debate.

The strategies used by people like Tanton and his folowers are just sickening. Using innocuous names that sound like they might be pro-immigrant is very deceiving and confusing to people. Research and self-education is very key in combatting the dirty work of people like Tanton. We must keep ourselves on top of things and always engage in what is going on. While there are groups out there that are definitely working for Immigration reform, we must do our part by facing the reality and realizing that anti-immigrants are out there and they are not going anywhere. They have the support of millionaires and racist supremacists.

Respected civil rights groups - including the Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League - have uncovered troubling associations with racists, white supremacists, and political extremists. One is the Pioneer Fund, a foundation committed to eugenics and “scientific racism”. (Scientific Racism?!?!?!? Racism is Racism!!! Plain and simple!) These groups have found that The Pioneer Fund has provided John Tanton with the substantial funding he has needed for multi-millionaire operations!

A map has been put together by the Center for New Community detailing the nature of these relationships.

This map shows that behind the long-winded names and complicated connections, the truth is much simpler, it is one network and one message.

IMMIGRANTS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE.

What a weekend...

For many this weekend was all about celebration and excitement - while I share the feeling, it is somewhat of a bittersweet feeling because although I celebrate the birth of this, MY country, this country doesn't celebrate me. And then I wonder, will this ever change? Or will it be doomed an eternal goal of my past, present, and future...

could it be???

???

only time will tell...

Dream Graduation Los Angeles!

hi folks! it is now 1:27 am and i am soooo tired but i couldn't go to sleep without sharing with you all the amazing experience we all had today at the DREAM GRADUATION outside of the City Hall...truly inspiring to say the least! I would like to thank everyone who came out to support us in this beautiful and just cause...THANK YOU!

my bf ♥ and I spent some time over the weekend making some posters for the marching students to carry around and they turned out to be amazing and mine was actually on the main podium!!!!!!! yay!


As soon as we got there we saw a large crowd getting ready to march around. The students looked sooo united and they had the most creative posters too! Our speakers included Kent Wong, Wendy Carillo, and Jose Huizar! They did an amazing job in touching on key points that alot of people ignore. It was also rather rewarding to see so many people come forward and tell their stories...it almost felt like family there because we could all relate and understand where these students were coming from, regardless of their cultural background. Alot of people who oppose the Dream Act generalize and believe it's only "the Mexicans" that would benefit from this piece of legislation...some people insult dreamers calling them ignorant and thieves - they claim we are stealing their culture and their rights, but really who is ignorant here? A mere 5 minutes of attendance to our event would have opened their eyes to see that nobody is stealing anything, but rather strengthening a broken society and enriching a devastated economy. Further they would have learned that it is not only "the Mexicans" that would benefit, but that there is a broader group of students including Asian, African, and Middle Eastern students to name a few....for those who were able to attend, I know you know what I mean and it was a great experince...for those of you who didn't...YOU MISSED OUT! BUT Dream Team L.A. will have more events to come! Be sure to stay tuned....










DREAM BIG!!!

OBAMA on Immigration...

...here we go again with the filthy dynamics of politics. The L.A. Times reported this morning that again, Obama has expressed his support for the immigration reform that more than 12 million people that are undocumented in the U.S. This is all good, but the true question is when? and how?

WHEN?!?!? What these politicians need to realize is that talk is cheap and we are all tired of waiting for something that clearly is no where in sight. In his speech, he spoke only vaguely on his support for immigration reform, but at no point did he mention a date or anything! While he has pressured congress to have something on healthcare by the fall, immigration seems to be still just a topic that comes up here and there...vague and with no foundation in the white house.

HOW?!?!?! Now Obama is supporting a notion that I find to be ridiculous and unrealistic. He said in his speech that he supports the idea of immigrants to return to their home countries and wait in "the back of the line" because he thinks it's the fair thing to do. Are you kidding me?!??! Many, if not most, of these immigrants have a life established here! The have rooted their existence in this country and most importantly, have contributed to this country vastly! THIS IS THEIR HOME COUNTRY!!! Plus, who are we kidding??!!? Once out of the U.S. it is a gamble of whether these people will EVER be granted what they deserve - their legal residency. I am by no means saying that they should legalize everyone, simply that they be more realistic and look at those people who have done something productive here in the U.S. and have had a good moral character. I fully understand the need for a tighter border control, but sending people back to countries they only have vague memories (mostly bad ones) of, that is just RIDICULOUS!!!!

With that said, ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST OBAMA? What happened to the promise of hope?!?!? Have you forgotten that already?!?!?!?

DREAM Graduation!!!

ok everybody, it's time to go out there and show our politicians that we are serious about our

dreams! Join Dream Team L.A. in this SUPER CRUCIAL event!!!

...come join us as we take one step closer to making our dreams a reality!!!

be sure to add us on facebook to keep updated on upcoming events as well!

you know that feeling...

...when you just can't find balance in your life? when you feel like all bad things happen and it's so hard to find the light at the end of the tunnel? yeah, well that's what I've been feeling lately. I know i've said this before but the office politics here at work just make me sick. the he said/she said dynamics and the ways in which "friendships" are formed here are just soooo political and racial!

last weekend i saw a baby kitten in the playground at the elementary school by my house. i noticed some kids were torturing the poor thing so i decided to take him away, but then realized that i was stuck in a dilemma: if i brought him home my little brother would get sick because he's allergic to cats and dogs but if i left him outside he was bound to die since he was tiny and clearly not ready to be on his own. on the other hand if i took him to the pound, he would likely be put to sleep, afterall there is an overpopulation of animals at our local shelters. i decided i would ask around to see if anyone wanted him. i tried two different people and their reactions were just sick. the first question was "what color is it?" when i said he was brownish with grey....they said nah, i like white cats...so then i said "well he's cute, and he has blue eyes". only when i said he had blue eyes did they consider taking him....but in the end, "no, it's ok. I've been looking around for a white fluffy cat". well i can say that both Chloe (the name i gave the kitty) and i apologize for not being white and meeting your standards... but then i'd be lying...we don't apologize. although lying would maybe buy me a ticket into the inner circle here in the world of politics at work...

Dream Team LA...

...not to be confused with L.A. Dream Team! LOL JK!!! anywho, for those who (like me) have been wondering why we don't have an actual Dream Act group here in L.A., you're questions have been answered!!! Finally we have what is called the Dream Team L.A., a group that will focus on finding strategies to push government to pass immigration reform and execute those strategies! We met for the first time to begin to form what will be known as the Dream Team L.A. I am sooo excited to be a part of this group. We talked about what our short term goals are, our long term goals, and our strategies. I was mostly thrilled to see the turnout - not only the numbers but the demographics and the bond that joins us all together, which is a very strong common goal that will hopefully soon be met.

all in all, yesterday was a good meeting, a great start! I cannot wait to see what the Dream Team L.A. will become! One thing is for sure...we are here now! Stronger than ever and super pumped! This is just the beginning...

you MUST attend...

the 2nd annual Immigrant Youth Empowerment Conference:"Reaching our DREAMs through ACTion 2009" on Sunday May 31st, 2009!

RSVP deadline is this friday, May 15th, so hurry hurry hurry! RSVP here.

Remember that now is the time for us to come together and let our voices be heard!!!!

XOXO

and we're back where we started...

...ugh. it's just one of those days where i feel like no matter how hard i work it's still not enough. we went to see my an immigration lawyer for my mom yesterday to see what options we have to stop her deportation. it turns out that just to re-open the case and start with the lowest court (the board of appeals, i think) we need to give $1750. up until that point i was like ok, well that's not TOO bad right? he continued by saying that after that it would go to the next court (im not too sure what court that is, with all the stress i am feeling right now my brain is not 100% functional) which would mean another $8000 roughly....WHAT?!?!?!? are you kidding me?!??! how can we ever come up with a sum like that...my mom is a single parent working for a wage that is not all that great....a wage that we have to stretch sooo much just make ends meet...and the ends still don't fully meet...my income is barely enough to help those ends meet even if its only by the slightest touch...at that point i was convinced that some miracle had to happen but that if we worked extremely hard we could do it....then he explained that this was just for the purpose of "buying time". because she already has a deportation we are just buying more time to see if a reform passes... although my brother petitioned for her about 2 years ago she doesn't qualify for her residency because she is missing the 245-i. but to make matters worse after that second court we would have to appeal to the 9th circuit....that's, drum roll pleaseee.....another $8000 ladies and gentlemen! i am convinced that we will need a miracle to happen for us to EVER have that kind of money....not to mention that this doesn't guarantee anything....we are just BUYING TIME remember?

this whole process would earn her another 2 years....2.5 if were lucky...and only if a reform were to pass would she ever have even the slightest chance to become legal in the United States.

sad huh? and very very UNFAIR.

i am on the hunt for a second job and praying to God that he makes something happen...

Calling all DREAMERS...

I realize that I haven't blogged in a while now, but it's only because I have been busy working on a very cool project that you all can take part in! I am working on a short Dreamer Documentary. I think that the more we get our stories out there the higher the chances are of the DREAM ACT passing...

I will begin interviewing people in the coming weeks and would like you all to consider being an interviewee! This will not only be fun but also it will put your voice out there and reach a mass audience. Please let me know if you are interested as soon as possible so that we can schedule something.

It is time we make a difference!

XOXO.

you can email me @ nancyaandrade@yahoo.com

Deported.

Last summer while I was still in school I took the School Newspaper course and it just so happened to be around the time that my mother was beginning to go through her immigration litigation. My professor thought it would be a good idea to document her court hearings. Below is the piece I wrote the day she was given the order of deportation:

“I don’t want to do this. You look like an honest person and I see you are a hard worker. Unfortunately the law is the law, and under it you are a criminal”.

The clicking of the typewriter, the sound of the fresh ink kissing the paper that would mark a sad and unfair destiny became increasingly overwhelming as I turned back to see the little boy with tears rolling down his eyes. This boy was Abel, 13, son of “Angie”, who had just been given an order of deportation by the immigration lawyer.

On the morning of July 10, 2008 Angie became just another number added to the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who have been deported back to their home countries, Abel, another American child whose future was now uncertain. The fact that “Angie” has been here for more than 20 years, working hard, paying taxes, and that she has children who are citizens didn’t stop her order of deportation.

“Angie” has until August 11, 2008 to file an appeal. If she chooses to file an appeal, she will join the thousands of illegal immigrants who are stuck in this messy battlefield that doesn’t seem to be ending any time soon. If she doesn’t, she will be returned to a country where she has not stability and where her future is uncertain.

My mother chose to file an appeal and continues to fight in this cruel, cruel war for justice.

Immigration Reform announced by Obama!!!

So it looks like Obama is finally addressing his Latino people! On the front page of the New York Times today, the Obama Administration committed to push comprehensive immigration reform this year!

While this is MAJOR news to us, it has come as no surprise that the opposing side is already giving us a fight to intimidate us and the politicians that support this just and necessary cause. With that said, it's up to US to make this happen! We too must put up a good fight (a civil/non-violent of course!) In other words you must join the tens of thousands of Americans in telling the President that you stand ready to support comprehensive immigration reform...

You can do that by sending your letter (it's even pre-laid out for you!) today! It only takes a few minutes and can make a lifetime change in so many lives. You can go to the following link:

http://americasvoiceonline.org/page/content/leadership/

Thank you so much!

Here it goes again.

I know you've seen this in a million different websites, but here they are again! The 10 Ways You Can Help the Dream Act!!!

1. CALL - Pick up the phone and call your Senator or Representative today. Dial 202-224-3121 or use the NCLR guide to be connected to your member of Congress and speak out in favor of the DREAM Act.

2. MEET Congressional Recess is happening NOW! That means from Apr 5th to Apr 19th, your congressional representative (Both House Rep and Senators) will be in town to meet people from their districts and hear issues that concerns them. Call and make appointments today - DO not be scared or nervous. Follow the guidelines here -http://dreamactivist.org/take-action-2/meet-with-your-senator-or-representative/ You have about 11 days! Hurry!

3. PETITION MAILING LIST Get on the mailing list by signing the petition -http://dreamact2009.com/ Over 7500 people have signed already. Leave a testimony, maybe even your own story, for the DREAM Act for ages to come!

4. EMAIL Change.org has a page to help you email your congressional representatives in support of the DREAM Act.

http://www.change.org/ideas/932/view_action/ask_your_congressperson_to_support_the_dream_act

5. FAX America's Voice has a page to help you fax your congressional representatives in support of the DREAM Act.http://americasvoiceonline.org/page/speakout/DaretoDream

6. SOCIAL NETWORKING Invite more people to DREAM Act 2009 - United We DREAM Facebook Cause now over 15,000 people and follow us on Twitter and even Myspace.

7. TEXT Text "Justice" ("Justicia" for Spanish) to 69866 to be alerted about the DREAM Act as it moves through Congress. FIRM's Mobile Action Network is an excellent way to stay connected and have maximum impact at just the right moment.http://fairimmigration.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/action-join-the-fight-for-immigrant-rights/

8. DONATE Thank you so much for your donations via Facebook Causes as well as donations@dreamactivist.org. Here, no one gets paid to work on the DREAM Act--we cannot afford ourselves. Hence, we are in need of funding for mass mailing, distribution, covering workshop costs, organizing on-the-ground, maintaining and updating the websites. Please keep them up and encourage your friends to contribute as well even if it is a $1 (1.0 unit) - http://dreamactivist.chipin.com/

9. STAY UPDATED Follow sites like http://dreamactivist.org/, http://undergroundundergrads.com/ and http://dreamact.info/ for the latest action and alerts on the DREAM Act. DreamAct.info hosts a forum for Dreamers and has actually formulated Info for Organizers, including Senate target lists. Check it out!

10. ORGANIZE The most important action for change comes from the grassroots.Here is an organizing manual that USSA has sent for DreamActivists on how to get a student club started to promote and pass the DREAM Act. Sample resolutions are available on our resources page.

I know it's a lot of information but it's a lot easier than it seems at a glance. Give it a try! It will make a difference!

And as always, don't hesitate to drop me a comment with your questions or concerns as I am always here to help!

XOXO.

A March for Justice...

I have never seen or experienced something as beautiful and fulfilling as I did this past Saturday. It was a beautiful sunny morning as I approached the corner of Broadway and Olympic. With my camcorder in tow and a camera in hand I was ready to document something so meaningful : my people excercising their right to be heard. It was a flag and sign frenzy.


As we turned the corner, we saw hundreds of people gathered, united and ready to march. Bright colors took over as flags from different countries flowed in the air. People of all ages, colors, and even dogs were out to show their support. I can't even begin to explain the excitement I felt to be there and take part of something so meaningful and necessary as we take on a very important year. This is the time to make something happen for so many people who day to day have to live in the shadows.




I was especially thrilled to see young students come out and make their voices heard as well. "Educacion y no deportacion" (education not deportation) was what they yelled as they marched, which is something that is ever so present today. Family separation, gifted students being sent back "home" to a place they barely know. It gives me so much satisfaction to see that at such a young age, these kids are coming out and taking a stand and making it happen!

The march was very calm and beautiful. No incidents took place and the police behaved. There were a couple of opposing groups trying to provoke the crowd but they weren't succesful as we were out there on a mission and not to fall into their vicious traps.

As we made our way down Broadway, more and more people joined, of all races including Asians, Anglos, and African Americans! It was beautiful to see such unity and support of a common human race. By the time we got to the convention center it was a multitude of energetic and inspired people. I have to say this was by far one of the most beautiful experiences in my 24 years of life! Thank you to all of those who made it out!


P.S. A short documentary of the event will be soon posted. Keep checking in for that!

XOXO

Photography courtesy of my boyfriend! Thank you love!

Immigrants and the broken economy. Disneyland.

Ok, so by now you are probably thinking: what the hell do immigrants and the economy have to do with Disneyland? They have a lot to do with eachother actually. My family and I took a family trip to Disneyland yesterday. As we arrived, we read the sign that read "lot full, make U-turn and exit". Great. We knew it would be a long day with long lines and crowded walking. As it turned out, the lot was not full! It was rather empty! We ended up parking about 2 blocks away at the Garden walk lot. I still don't know why they weren't allowing guests to park in their lot, but as it turned out, the park was also pretty empty. The longest wait for a ride was Indiana Jones with a 40 minute wait. 

It was 3 o'clock. We had been there for about 5 hours when I noticed something that caught my attention. There were hardly any latinos at the park. For the most part, all guests were caucasian and Asian. I told my boyfriend that I had noticed that and that it was very weird. He looked at me as if I was an idiot. I guess I can't blame him because afterall, Disneyland is the happiest place on earth and why would ANYONE be looking at things like the guest demographics? 

Well, the reason I noticed this is because taking this trip was a tough decision. My mom had been laid off for a few weeks and the only income coming in was mine. Still, we made the trip because my little brother is a child and doesn't understand what it is to be in a financial crunch, or what a broken economy does to families and the dynamics of everyday life. Throughout the whole day I think we only saw about 10 latino families! Of course the number goes up if you include the janitors cleaning the restrooms around the park. 

Discounts and promotions at the stores also caught my attention. Of the hundreds of times I've been to Disneyland I can count on my hands how many sale/discount signs I've seen at their stores.

But why am I even writing about this? Who cares right? Well I just think it's interesting to see what the economy has done to our country. To see that the population that is looked down on is what keeps such big enterprises going. Before thousands of  "immigrants" lost their jobs Disneland was always full! No sale prices were offered because it wasn't needed to make a sale. The immigrant dollar wasn't hard to get. But now? Where have these "freeloaders" gone? I guess we are not freeloaders afterall! And even the Disney empire will soon begin to see it, if it hasn't already.

The Dream Act WILL PASS!!!

Sooo, I haven't written on my blog in a looooong time but when I heard that the Dream Act will indeed be brought up in congress I knew I HAD to do my part and get the word out. If you havent heard, a campaign has been launched to petition, and in fact we have to DEMAND, that the Dream Act passes in 2009. You can go and sign the petition online!

http://dreamact2009.com/index.html

On top of that, you can collect physical signatures and mail it in to our friends at dreamact2009.com. Whatever the case may be or what may be convenient for you, we MUST get involved and make a difference. We have to make sure President Obama keeps his promise to help us out! Don't forget to tune-in to the Jay Leno show this Thursday! Hopefully he will say something about the Dream Act and Immigration Reform. The fact that he is the first President to appear on a show like this says alot. We all know late-night talk shows are known for asking the hard questions and President Obama is not afraid to face them! Let's make our voices heard.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090316/en_afp/entertainmentusobamapoliticstelevision_20090316203135

Until soon my friends!

Year of the Gentleman...

Ok, I have to admit it. I am officially OBSESSED with Ne-yo! For the past couple of weeks I have been listening to his new album "year of the gentleman" and it's amazing. "Part of the List" is by far my favorite song on the album, then it's "Mad". Today I had to add this post because on my way to work I was listening to big boys neighborhood on power 106 and he was singing live - his voice is amazing even in the morning. I can honestly say his voice gives me shivers...Just thought I'd share with you guys...

P.S. When you get a chance definitely check it out!

I refuse to be a bag lady...

I'm sure you have all heard the song "Bag Lady" by Erykah Baduh...yes? no? maybe? Well if you have, you will know what I'm talking about, if not, you MUST listen to it. It's not a new song, but if you listen to it the message is amazing and empowering to women.

Bag lady you gone hurt your back

Dragging all them bags like that

I guess nobody ever told you

All you must hold on to

Is you, is you, is you

One day all them bags gone get in your way

One day all them bags gone get in your way

I said one day all them bags gone get in your way

One Day all them bags gone get in your way

So pack light

Pack light

Pack light

Ooh ooh

Bag lady you gone miss your bus

You can't hurry up

Cause you got too much stuff

When they see you comin

Niggas take off runnin

From you it's true oh yes they do

One day he gone say you crowdin my space

One day he gone say you crowdin my space

I said one day he gone say you crowdin my space

One day he gone say you crowdin my space

So pack light

Pack light

Pack light

Ooh ooh

Girl I know sometimes it's hard

And we can't let go

Oh when someone hurts you oh so bad inside

You can't deny it you can't stop crying

So oh, oh, oh

If you start breathin

Then you won't believe it

You'll feel so much better

(So much better baby)

Bag lady

Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go

Ooh, ooh

Girl you don't need it

I betcha love can make it better

Betcha love can make it better

Betcha love can make it better

(Need someone to love you right)

Betcha love can make it better

(I betcha love, betcha love)

Betcha love can make it better

Betcha love can make it better

Betcha love can make it better

Betcha love can make it better

(I betcha love, betcha love)

Betcha love can make it better

(I betcha love, I betcha love, oh)

Betcha love can make it better

Betcha love can make it better

(Oh...)

Betcha love can make it better...

Bag lady, hmmLet it go, let it go, let it go, let it go

Girl you don't need that, hmm

What is she trying to say? I asked some guy friends and they laughed saying that she is just admitting that we girls are obsessed with bags and throw nothing but junk in it. The message is deeper though. The bag Baduh refers to is more than just a material bag: it's the heart.

"Bag lady you gone hurt your back

Dragging all them bags like that"

She is saying that very often our bag is full of needless things that weigh us down and keep us from moving along in our lives. Holding on to pain, hurt, anger, and dissappointment manifests itself in our bodies. The end result is that we often find ourselves being sick whether physically or emotionally. Sooner or later, our "baggage" causes our bodies to give out.

"Bag lady you gone miss your bus

You can't hurry up

Cause you got too much stuff"

When we spend too much time focusing on negative people, negative experiences, and negative feelings, we end up missing opportunities and blocking our blessings. We can't see the future because we are too busy living in the past. Meanwhile, our perpetrators go on living their lives: oblivious to the hurt they have caused. We only have the power to control our reactions to the bad things in life and we must learn to leave the past as the past and focus on the present and the future.

"When they see you comin

Niggas take off runnin

From you it's true oh yes they do"

I guess the question here is: why do we hurt? What are the things that have us hurting? Think about the many relationships we women start on crutches. A lot of women have a fear of being alone or missing out on a good man. Many women cover their wounds from previous relationships and experiences with their tight hairdos, pretty make-up, beautiful clothes, and a fake smile in order to attract somebody to keep them in their comfort zone and away from their loneliness. These women know they have no business getting involved when there are unresolved issues within them, but they hide it because otherwise people will run from them and avoid them. The message is that we must learn to not dwell on the negative experiences and we must be strong independent women. When we keep things inside, as time passes, the wounds get harder and harder to hide. When they are finally exposed , the important person in our life is suddenly history. When our "baggage" is exposed, we begin to "crowd his space" and he vanishes from our life.

The message is clear: the only thing that can ever stop us is....US! Yes, we have no control over what others do or say to us, but we CAN control our reactions. I'm not saying the "baggage" we have is something to be ashamed of, of course not, it's part of being a human being. The shame is not in having the baggage, but rather in KEEPING the "baggage".

So to all mybag ladies, search yourself! Be honest with yourself and ask yourself what is in your bag. When you realize what you are keeping inside do what you have to do - pray, cry, scream, liberate yourself!!!

"Girl I know sometimes it's hard

And we can't let go

Oh when someone hurts you oh so bad inside

You can't deny it you can't stop crying

So oh, oh, oh

If you start breathin

Then you won't believe it

You'll feel so much better"

So while my guy friends were wrong in saying that she is talking about our handbag fetish, they were right in the message : we do in fact carry a lot of worthless crap in our hearts. Crap that can be left in the past. They were right in saying that we are obsessed with the things that destroy us - negativitiy and sadness. WE MUST LEARN TO BE STRONG WOMEN: VISIONARIES OF THE FUTURE...

Bag lady....It's time to let it go...

On our way up...

I'm sitting in my office thinking how much longer I will have be the center of the 4-wall box that I call my cubicle. Don't get me wrong, I like my job and I am thankful to even have a job considering the economic crisis we are undergoing right now. As I am sitting here, I feel my blackberry vibrate and I look. I have an email from Barack Obama (well from his staff I should say). I am very proud of what he is doing. In a short 2 weeks he has come a long way! Today's email is really a motivation to stick it out and believe that something good is coming our way. Enjoy!

Friend --The economic crisis is growing more serious every day, and the time for action has come.Last week, the House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will jumpstart our economy and put more than 3 million people back to work.I hope to sign the recovery plan into law in the next few weeks. But I need your help to spread the word and build support.It's not enough for this bill to simply pass Congress. Americans need to know how it will affect their lives -- they need to know that help is on the way and that this administration is investing in economic growth and stability.Governor Tim Kaine has agreed to record a video outlining the recovery plan and answering questions about what it means for your community. You can submit your questions online and then invite your friends, family, and neighbors to watch the video with you at an Economic Recovery House Meeting.Join thousands of people across the country by hosting or attending an Economic Recovery House Meeting this weekend.The stakes are too high to allow partisan politics to get in the way.That's why I've consulted with Republicans as well as Democrats to put together a plan that will address the crisis we face.I've also taken steps to ensure an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Once it's passed, you will be able to see how every penny in this plan is being spent.You can help restore confidence in our economy by making sure your friends, family, and neighbors understand how the recovery plan will impact your community.Sign up to host or attend an Economic Recovery House Meeting and submit your question for the video now:http://my.barackobama.com/recoveryOur ability to come together as a nation in difficult times has never been more important.I know I can rely on your spirit and resolve as we lead our country to recovery.Thank you,President Barack ObamaP.S. -- If you can't host or attend an Economic Recovery House Meeting, you can still submit your questions for Governor Kaine and then share the video with your friends and family this weekend. Learn more here:http://my.barackobama.com/recovery

I must say, his accountability approach to everything is really something I look up to. It's time that we really do practice democracy and not just preach it!

Have a great day!

Once my fetters have fallen...

“The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall. He frees himself and shows the way to others. Freedom and slavery are mental states”

-Mahatma Gandhi

What happens when you see your dreams vanish in the air? When a piece of paper that doesn’t exist in your reality transforms your goals into uncertainty?

My name is Alejandra and I am in my twenties. I was born in Mexico but raised in the United States. On a sunny August day in the mid 80's, when I was only 5 months old, my parents began their journey to what they thought would be freedom and happiness. Like every parent, they wanted the best for their daughter – an education, freedom, and safety. The United States represented all of that and more. Little did they know, I would be sitting here, in this small cluttered room, 20 something years later, typing a narrative that propels me back into my devastating reality.

You see, like any other American child I went to school here. I can honestly say I don’t remember having to learn the English language, I just knew it. Like any other American child, I participated in daily activities at school, such as singing “this land is my land” and reciting the pledge of allegiance in the playground everyday at 8:00 AM sharp. I never realized that I was different, disadvantaged. I went to school everyday, never missing a day. I took part in the Cheer squad and held very high-grades. Everything was perfect and I was living the life my parents had always envisioned for me. I was a happy child living with every right this country stands for. I had dreams, hopes, plans.

Then came the day. The day when my father told me he would come back but never did. I was 5 years old when my parents got divorced and we were faced with so many complications. My mother was now a single parent of three – she was undocumented as well as my older brother and I. Still she had to manage to get a second job…then a third. With all the family difficulties and stress I became ill with a condition called Bells Palsy. Bells Palsy, the doctor said, was rare in a child but because of the divorce trauma, I had had a nervous breakdown and half of my face was now paralyzed. My mother couldn’t pay for my treatment so we had to apply for medi-cal, get loans, etc. Although I was only a 5-year-old girl I knew something was wrong. We were finally granted an emergency Medi-cal and my Bells Palsy was treated. Chemotherapy helped a lot, and while it had gone away, the doctor said it could come back if I stressed out or with another trauma. I knew something was wrong, but I wasn’t sure what it was still. After all, to a 5 year old the word ‘undocumented’ is just that…a word.

It wasn’t until my sophomore year in high school that I realized I was undocumented. We had gone to an early-prep seminar, in which counselors from numerous colleges come to high schools and recruit young students and encourage them to start preparing for college. It really caught my attention because I always wanted to go to college. That evening I took home a stack of forms to fill out. I remember looking through them on my way home as I sat in the bus. Every form started by asking my name, last name, and then of course my social security number. I didn’t think much of it because I had always assumed I had one. The look on my mom’s face when I asked her to give me my social security number was devastating. Her eyes became watery as she said:

“You don’t have one”.

I remember thinking I would just leave box number 3, (which asked for my social security number), blank. Then reality kicked in – that wasn’t an option. This 9-digit number would determine my future, or as I came to see, the lack of it. The next two years were terrible, especially my senior year. All my friends were filling out financial aid applications, Cal Grant applications, and preparing for their long awaited SAT’s.  For me that wasn’t an option. I knew I would never be able to pay for the school that I wanted to go – USC. I decided I would still apply for UCLA, UC Berkeley, and a few Cal States. I got into both UC’s and Cal State LA and Long Beach. That year I got a pleasant surprise – I received the governor’s scholarship, which was worth a few thousand dollars, but again, the lack of that 9-digit snapped me right back into reality: I was not eligible to claim it. While that was a very sad time in my life it also encouraged me to fight for what I wanted, for my dreams and hopes.

I decided to attend California State University, Los Angeles. I applied for AB-540 so that I could pay in-state tuition. Still, it was very difficult for me to pay off the tuition. I was forced to take two jobs and baby-sit on the weekends as a third job. There were nights when I wouldn’t sleep because after a long day at work I had to come home and write papers for my classes. I cried myself to sleep many nights when my friends traveled and I couldn’t go because of my status. I hated being treated like I was a criminal, like I had not rights, like I was a slave in my own life. Today I am proud to say that I have graduated with a bachelors of arts in television and film studies, with an option in broadcast journalism. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do much with it because I am still undocumented. But like Gandhi said:

“The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall. He frees himself and shows the way to others. Freedom and slavery are mental states”

I have resolved that I will no longer be a slave in my own silence. I have realized that no one else will fight for me and young Americans like me. We do have a voice. While being undocumented has brought me endless difficulties, it has also made me a strong young woman – a young woman who is ready to fight and defeat any obstacle that stands in her way. Enough is enough! My fetters have fallen, I have freed myself and today more than ever, I am ready to show the way to others. Today I am a dreamer – tomorrow…tomorrow I will scream at the top of my lungs:

“The sky is the limit”

Empacó un par de camisas, un sombrero, Su vocación de aventurero Seis consejos, siete fotos, mil recuerdos.
Empacó sus ganas de quedarse Su condición de transformarse En el hombre que soñó y no ha logrado.
Dijo adiós con una mueca disfrazada de sonrisa Y le suplico a su Dios crucificado en la repisa El resguardo de los suyos y perforó la frontera como pudo.
Si la luna suave se desliza por cualquier cornisa Sin permiso alguno, por qué el mojado precisa Comprobar con visas que no es de neptuno.
El mojado tiene ganas de secarse, El mojado esta mojado Por las lágrimas que brota la nostalgia El mojado, el indocumentado carga el bulto Que el legal no cargaría ni obligado.
El suplicio de un papel lo ha convertido En fugitivo y no es de aquí porque su nombre No aparece en los archivos ni es de allá porque se fue.
Si la luna suave se desliza por cualquier cornisa Sin permiso alguno, por qué el mojado precisa Comprobar con visas que no es de neptuno.
Mojado sabe a mentira tú verdad, Sabe a tristeza la ansiedad De ver un freeway y soñar Con la vereda que conduce hasta tú casa.
Mojado, mojado de tanto llorar sabiendo que en algún lugar Le espera un beso haciendo pausa desde el día en que te marchaste.
Si la luna suave se desliza por cualquier cornisa Sin permiso alguno, por qué el mojado precisa Comprobar con visas que no es de neptuno.
Si la visa universal se extiende el día en que nacemos Y caduca en la muerte, por qué te persiguen mojado Si el cónsul de los cielos ya te dio permiso.

This is one of my favorite songs ever! Ricardo Arjona speaks great truth. We are treated as if we were some monsters from outer space - as if we come from Neptune and we must present a visa to prove we are not mosters. I have been reading a lot of negative comments from people who just cannot relate to the struggle that people like myself have to face everyday. From freeloader to lazy to criminal, I have been called many names. However, I invite those people to challenge themselves to read and educate themselves on what it means to be an undocumented student. What a difference a piece of paper makes. How in a matter of seconds your whole life is stopped and suspended by the gravity of our unjust system. Before you accuse and insult, read and get your facts straight. It is easy to point fingers at someone who didn't even ask to be here in the first place.